Church nominated for award celebrating those who’ve helped refugees

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Church nominated for award celebrating those who’ve helped refugees

In September 2015, the Government pledged to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees via the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement (VPR) scheme, Citizens UK then started to persuade councils and community groups to participate in housing people.

The Community Sponsorship Awards to recognise those efforts will take place in London this evening, paying tribute to those who have welcomed refugees into the country, either through escorting them from the airport to their new home, providing a pack of food and essentials on their arrival or spent money on English classes and sometimes even providing them with a home.

Tim Finch, the founding director of Sponsor Refugees, told Premier why they’re holding the awards: “People who get involved in it really find it rewarding and inspiring and good fun as well. But it’s a lot of work, you have to raise money, you have to find a house, you have to plan for and then help support the refugee family when they arrive, and all of that’s done on an entire voluntary basis.”

“It seemed appropriate to us that…the people who do that, among them many Christian communities, should be celebrated and recognised in their work.”

Finch explained how the UK followed Canada’s model in allowing volunteers and faith groups to resettle refugees.

“Up until very recently this was something only done by the state, by local authorities or by contracted…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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Justin Bieber Sings Worship Song on London Street

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Justin Bieber Sings Worship Song on London Street


Justin Bieber Sings Worship Song on London Street


Popstar Justin Bieber recently sat on a London Street corner in front of Buckingham Palace and serenaded his fiancée Hailey Baldwin and fans with a worship song.


Bieber, who is very open about his Christian faith, was recently in London with his fiancée and decided to take his voice and a guitar to the London Streets. He sang songs such as “Cold Water,” “Fast Car,” and the popular worship song “Good Good Father.” 


The singer briefly stopped singing during his impromptu performance to profess his love to his fiancée saying, “I love you babe. I love you so much.” 


The two are both outspoken about their Christian faith. 


In a 2016 interview with Teen Vogue, Baldwin said, “I was raised in church. I was brought up in that life, and I think that it’s very important for everybody to be in touch with their spirituality and to have a relationship with God.” 


She continued, “I think that God kind of put me in the place in my life to not be quiet about it, not be quiet about him, but to reach people and to inspire people.”


Bieber, who was recently spotted with Christian author

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Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Christian Headlines.

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USA’s Largest UMC Congregation Opens New ‘Furnishings Ministry’ Site for Thousands of Needy Families

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USA’s Largest UMC Congregation Opens New ‘Furnishings Ministry’ Site for Thousands of Needy Families

(Photo: Twitter/Center 58 Schools)The Church of the Resurrection’s Flourish Furnishings Ministry, located in Grandview, Missouri.

The largest United Methodist Church congregation in the United States has opened a new site for its furnishings ministry, which seeks to help thousands of families in need.

Church of the Resurrection, a Leawood, Kansas-based congregation with over 21,000 members and headed by the Rev. Adam Hamilton, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for their Flourish Furnishings Ministry’s new space in Grandview, Missouri, on Saturday.

In attendance for the Saturday ribbon-cutting were several local government officials, including the Grandview Mayor Leonard Jones, as well as 200 members of the church and the local community.

Formerly known as My Father’s House, FFM seeks to collect and distribute donated home furnishings and essentials to families who are less fortunate.

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(Photo: Twitter/Center 58 Schools)Volunteers sorting things at the Church of the Resurrection’s Flourish Furnishings Ministry, based in Grandview, Missouri.

“Through 100% donated goods we are able to provide an opportunity for your clients to fully furnish their new homes. Our goal is to ensure that no child or adult in the [Kansas City] metro area has to live without adequate…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – The Christian Post.

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Anne Graham Lots Reveals Unexpected Result of Cancer Surgery

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Anne Graham Lots Reveals Unexpected Result of Cancer Surgery


Anne Graham Lots Reveals Unexpected Result of Cancer Surgery


On Thursday, evangelist Anne Graham Lotz announced that she would be taking the next year off to receive cancer treatment. 


In early September, Lotz announced that she was diagnosed with breast cancer and that she would be undergoing surgery to remove the cancer cells.   


After her surgery on September 18, Lotz took to Facebook saying, “All went well. Cancer seemed contained with none apparently in the lymph nodes.” 


On Thursday, however, Lotz learned that that was not the case.


The evangelist went in for her one-week post-surgery check-up and though everything appeared to be healing nicely, the pathology report revealed that the cancer had spread. Lotz wrote on her website, “The surgeon then revealed, with compassion in her eyes, that she had the pathology report. As she went over the numbers, it became evident that the results were not what I had prayed they would be.” 


She continued, “A trace of cancer was found in the lymph nodes which alters the follow-up treatment significantly.”


Lotz went on to announce that she would be undergoing eighteen weeks of chemotherapy starting on October 18, along with additional treatments over the next year.  


The daughter of the late Billy Graham wrote, “The adventurous journey through the valley of the shadow will be longer than anticipated. BUT I am still confident the Shepherd will walk with me each step of…

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Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Christian Headlines.

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Six Reasons Why Churches Continue to Get Immature Christians in Leadership Positions – Rainer on Leadership #472

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Podcast Episode #472

SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio

Leadership in the church tends to fall to those who are either the loudest or who want it the most instead of who is spiritually mature enough to handle it. Today we explore why this happens and how to avoid it.

Some highlights from today’s episode include:

  • We see many people in leadership in the church not because they are mature Christians, but because they make the most noise.
  • Don’t reward church bullies with leadership positions in the church.
  • If church members are not committed to the financial stewardship the church, they probably shouldn’t be in leadership positions in the church.
  • Low expectation churches are typically the ones that struggle to find leaders or volunteers for ministry.

The six reasons we discuss are:

  1. The noisy get rewarded.
  2. The bullies get rewarded.
  3. No one checks the giving records.
  4. Some try to use the church for power they don’t have outside the church.
  5. The church is a low expectation church.
  6. Leadership is not rotated.

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast

Episode Sponsors

Vanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. They’ve helped thousands of churches just like yours find their church staff and are uniquely geared to help you discern who God is calling to lead your church.

For more information, visit WeStaffTheChurch.com.

The ministry landscape is changing, and…

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Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Thom Rainer.

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Is a skull-shaped asteroid headed for Earth this Halloween?

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Is a skull-shaped asteroid headed for Earth this Halloween?

Asteroid 2015 TB145 passed our planet three years ago. It missed us by just 300,000 miles and was visible to those with good telescopes. Eerily, it visited us on Halloween and looked very much like a skull.

This time around, however, the asteroid will not be in a Halloween mood. It will be twenty-five million miles away and will appear as a “dot of light,” according to NASA. Its shape may have changed due to collisions with other celestial objects. And it won’t be at its closest to us until November 11, well after Halloween.

A neighborhood our Founders envisioned

While the asteroid won’t be celebrating Halloween, my neighbors will. One already has “ghosts” hanging from their trees and a giant inflatable dragon breathing fire at those who pass by. If history holds, there will soon be dozens of houses in our area displaying a variety of goblins, ghosts, and ghouls.

It’s apparently not too early for Thanksgiving, either. A home in our neighborhood is displaying the word Thankful for passersby to see. Personally, I prefer their decoration to the lawn dragon.

As the November elections draw closer, we’re seeing more and more homes with yard signs supporting one or the other of our senatorial candidates. Campaign signs for state offices are proliferating as well.

While our Founders may not have imagined lawn dragons, this kind of opinionated diversity is just what they intended.

A parable made of bricks

In a monarchy such as the English system our Founders rejected, the king retains authority because his subjects fear his power and hope he will serve their interests. Governments in China, North Korea, Cuba, and Russia stay in power through the same means.

It is different in a republic like America, a system built on consensual self-interest. We elect those leaders we believe will best meet our needs. We support our country and trust that our country will serve us.

How is that working for us these days?

I was walking in our neighborhood…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Denison Forum.

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Andrew Brunson accused of having ‘dark links to terror’ by Turkish president

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Andrew Brunson accused of having ‘dark links to terror’ by Turkish president

Andrew Brunson, who led Izmir Resurrection Church, has been detained in Turkey since October 2016, accused of being part of a coup which failed to bring down the government.

Thousands of journalists, academics and civil servants were also arrested around the same time as part of a crack-down.

Since then, there has been various attempts by the US to release Brunson, through warnings from President Trump, talk of deals with Turkish prisoners in America and the threat of sanctions.

On Monday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said that they will oppose any more sanctions America tries to put on them after sanctions in August brought the Turkish lira to record lows.

He said at the first session of parliament: “We are deeply saddened by the current US government, a strategic partner, targeting our country without any logical, political and strategic consistency.”

He said he would combat: “this crooked understanding, which imposes sanctions using the excuse of a pastor who is tried due to his dark links with terror organizations.”

Brunson’s next court hearing is 12th October where he is accused of links with Fethullah Gulen, thought to be the leader of the coup, and Kurdish militants.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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Catholic Church calls for government to step up homelessness crisis response

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Catholic Church calls for government to step up homelessness crisis response

A pastoral letter, launched on Monday at the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, addresses housing and homelessness and describes the root causes of the crisis.

The letter details 18 key findings and calls for a number of measures including fair pricing and security in the private rental sector, vacant sites to be taxed and action to be taken to increase the supply and reduce the price of housing.

 

At its autumn general meeting, the bishops’ conference said the Government is struggling to tackle the growing homelessness crisis.

One bishop said some landlords should “examine their consciences as to the extent of profit they make”.

Kevin Doran of Elphin, acting chairman of the Council for Justice and Peace, added: “This is not just a problem for Dublin, but a problem that faces all of us in society.

“The magnitude of the problem is so great that it cannot be solved by voluntary effort alone. The state must take the lead partner on this – this cannot be left to the private sector either.”

Father Sean Donohoe, co-director of homelessness charity Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin, said it is not the responsibility of the church to solve the homelessness crisis.

“It’s the responsibility of the state of civic society through our governmental process,” he said.

“We do from 300 to 350 breakfasts every day and this morning we gave out baby food and nappies to 250 families.

“The day…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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Joyce Meyer Devotional 2 October 2018 — The Antidote for Doubt

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Topic: The Antidote for Doubt [Joyce Meyer Devotional 2 October 2018]

…Blessed is the man who fears the Lord…He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. — Psalm 112:1, 7

You may know the story of Abraham (see Genesis 12:1–7, 21:7). Basically, God promised Abraham a son, but at the time he was 100 years old, and his wife was 90, so their childbearing years were long gone!

But Abraham knew God had spoken and was determined not to focus on the natural impossibility that he and Sarah could have a child. Instead, he planted his faith in God’s promise and held on to that promise by praising God. His story is so remarkable that Paul made reference to it in Romans 4:18–21.

Abraham had absolutely no reason to hope. In fact, if any situation has ever been beyond hope, it would be the possibility of two people past 90 being able to have a biological child.

Nevertheless, Abraham kept hoping; he kept believing God’s promise. He did not waver in his faith or question God’s promise. Instead, “he grew strong and empowered by faith” as he praised God.

The same thing will happen when you praise God. You gain more and more strength, your faith increases, and the things that are coming against you to defeat you are dissipated as you praise Him.

That’s why it’s important to be diligent to listen to praise and worship music. I encourage you to play it in your home and in your car; learn songs and sing them; thank God and praise Him!

Love God today: God never responds to complaining, but He does respond to praise and an attitude of gratitude.

Prayer Starter: Father, I choose to praise You today! I believe You are able to do the impossible in my life. Help me to see my circumstances with the “eye of faith.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Joyce Meyer Daily Devotional HERE’’

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.

The post Joyce Meyer Devotional 2 October 2018 — The Antidote for Doubt appeared first on Flatimes.

Making Quality Decisions (Part 3) By Pastor Faith Oyedepo

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Making Quality Decisions (Part 3) by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: Making Quality Decisions (Part 3)

Dear Reader,

The mind of man is the seat of decision making. The quality of your mind determines the quality of your choices, which determines the quality of your life. God does not make choices for anyone; you make your choices by engaging your God-given instrument, your mind. So, if you must make the right choices, then your mind must be properly renewed. You must work on your mind. Proverbs 23:7 says: For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…

Redemption gives you access to a regenerated mind, so you can give God rest. If you sharpen your mind appropriately, it will be easy for you to make godly choices that will give you joy, peace and rest. We have seen the importance of choice making and some people in the Bible who made the right choices in their lives. This week, I will be looking at how to make right choices.

New Birth

The journey to a renewed mind begins with being born again. As a believer, the Bible says that you have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). If Christ never made wrong choices, it is possible for you also to keep making right choices, and new birth is the beginning of it all.

Also Read: Making Quality Decisions (Part 1) by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Trying to be a believer does not make you one. No matter how long your pet lives with you, does it make that dog a human being? We have a dog that has been with us for almost eight years. But since it came to that house, it has never been given a room in the main house to sleep in. Nobody has ever remembered to buy it a Christmas dress, and it has never sat with us at the dining table for meals. Similarly, no matter how long you have been going to church, until you are born again, you are not a child of God, and you don’t have the mind of Christ. As long as you do not possess the mind of Christ, you will keep making wrong choices that will put you in trouble. That is why I said that the journey to making right choices begins with the new birth.

How to Renew Your Mind

One way to renew your mind is by studying and meditating on the Word of God. Romans 12:1-2 says: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

This scripture makes it abundantly clear that it is not enough to be born again, you must be set to constantly renew your mind. You must feed your mind with the right stuff, so it can be sharpened well enough to make right choices. Renew your mind; don’t leave it the same way it has always been.

You also renew your mind by rubbing minds with similar and/or superior minds. Listen to people wiser, older and more experienced than you are. Watch how they make choices and take actions, ask questions on why they made certain choices, learn from their mistakes, seek sincere advice on the issues of concern to you. These are effective ways you can seek right counsel for a well informed choice making. You can also sharpen your mind by listening to tapes or books of anointed authors. The Bible says: Wise friends make you wise, but you hurt yourself by going around with fools. Just as iron sharpens iron, friends sharpen the minds of each other (Proverbs 13:20; 27:17 CEV).

Proof of Right Choices

  • Peace: Right choices are usually accompanied with peace (Psalm 25:12-13; 23:1-6).
  • Joy: When you are on the right path, you experience unexplainable joy (Hebrews 12:2).
  • Divine Strength: You get supernaturally energised when you make sound decisions. There is always strength to make the task that comes with great choices (Judges 6:14).

The journey to making right choices, begins with new birth. Until you are born again, your mind is not renewed to make right choices. This is by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. Peradventure you are not born again and you want to accept Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour, then say this prayer in faith: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored)

“Please click HERE to read other inspiring articles by Pastor Faith Oyedepo”

Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.

The post Making Quality Decisions (Part 3) By Pastor Faith Oyedepo appeared first on Flatimes.

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